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["Lynda" <lurine AT softcom.net>]

When we moved up here from the coast, we were just plain flabbergasted by 
the size (just about midgets compared to coastal deer) and how late the 
fawns arrived.  We've only seen a couple of does with twins and they are the 
norm down on the coast, not the exception.

Last week we almost hit one doe who darted across our road.  Her fawn was 
still in full spots.

I don't think we've ever seen a fawn before late June/early July up here. 
Again, not the norm on the coast.

We just figured it was because the food around here is slim or none unless 
you get down on the valley floor.  We're talking buck brush and acorns. 
That's it!

Lynda
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Akka Homestead" <akkabhomestead AT yahoo.com>


Has anyone noticed that the deer seem to cycling later and later in the 
year? Normally, I think they would go into estrus in November, but some 
around here have gone back in repeatedly because I am seeing very young 
fawns-still wobbly- less than a few weeks old- this late in the season. 
Gestation is about 6.5 months(200 days). If the fawns I am seeing were born 
in mid August, then the doe would have conceived in early February. That is 
more than 5 cycles!! I read that herd condition can play a part in this, so 
I am guessing that overcrowding is leading to malnourishment, which is 
leading to poor conception or inability to mate or lack of estrus? Has 
anyone else noticed any of this in your area?